Self-Care: It doesn’t have to be a big deal

 

During September we’ve been dedicated to helping you incorporate some self-care into your routine. Self-care is such an important way to ensure you look after your physical and mental wellbeing. Keeping healthy mentally and physically helps you to be able to cope effectively with life’s stresses and challenges when they arise.

 

Now going out for facials and massages are wonderful ways of caring for yourself but I want to reinforce that self care doesn’t have to be something you plan, and it doesn’t need to be something expensive or time consuming. You can practice self-care on a regular daily basis, in a small but meaningful way, through the decisions you make.

Some examples of positive self-care decision making might include:

  • Choosing the easy option: get some take away for dinner or choose the ready made option at the supermarket rather than making something from scratch

  • Saying no: It’s ok to say no to things if you are lacking the time, energy or inclination to go out somewhere or take on a commitment

  • Prioritising: Stop stressing about the things that aren’t important for today. Figure out what can wait and leave it for another day if you are feeling overwhelmed and spread too thin

  • Make small changes to the way you do things: Time and weather permitting, why not walk to the shops to pick up those few grocery items. Exercise and fresh air does wonders for the physical and mental wellbeing

  • Make the most of small opportunities. If you find yourself with a few minutes spare, enjoy a small treat like a nice hot cup of coffee in the peace and quiet, a chapter of a good book, or paint your toe nails a nice bright happy colour

Hopefully, by making a few small changes to your decision making and by consciously choosing options that are kinder to yourself, you will discover that self care is achievable in many different ways. It doesn’t have to be another thing to add to your to do list or something you need to struggle to find the time, energy and money to engage in.

Remember to seize the moment when you do get the opportunity to do something really nice for yourself though, and make sure you keep looking after yourself once self-care September is over.